Adjacent to the house, the walled garden and the adjoining woodland garden contain over 150 different species of rhododendrons and azaleas as well as many other interesting trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.

Before the last war the grassed portion of the garden was divided into dozens of geometric beds filled and replaced often twice a year with a series of bedding plants (see left). Two herbaceous borders, separated by a grass path, ran from the topiary pheasants at the foot of the steps right up to the stone seat by the wall at the top of the garden.

The rest of the garden was filled with vegetables and fruit to feed the large number of people who worked in the garden and house.

It was a glorious sight, but belonged to a very different era, and the aim is now to have as many of our favourite plants as possible, in a labour saving layout, so as to be able to maintain the garden ourselves without permanent staff.